The term animal welfare can be defined as the physical and mental state of an animal in relation to the conditions in which it lives. Animal welfare encompasses an animal’s health, comfort, and well-being, ensuring that animals are free from suffering, distress and disease. Welfare is impacted by factors including adequate nutrition, appropriate shelter and handling, and the provision of medical care. Good animal welfare requires that these needs are met based on scientific understanding and ethical concerns.
In the SPANA Strategy 2023-27, one of SPANA’s core goals is to drive an improvement in working animal welfare on a greater scale than ever before. To achieve this goal SPANA will continue to treat working animals in need, train animal owners and professional, and teach children and community groups about animal welfare. We do all these core activities, and all our global work, to transform the welfare of working animals across the world.
How SPANA Promotes Animal Welfare
For working animals, the recent United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) Nexus resolution; recognising the link between animal’s, people and the environment, represents a positive shift towards better treatment and recognition of their contributions. SPANA works tirelessly worldwide to ensure working animals can access the treatment and care they need. We also provide training in good animal care for owners, as well as vital veterinary care and equipment that keeps animals safe. And we teach children and community groups about animal welfare. We do all this to transform the lives of working animals.
Thousands of people across the world, including in countries such as Morocco, Zimbabwe and India, rely on their animals for survival. Help us make sure that working animals are treated properly. If you can, please make a donation, or browse gifts at our shop – all proceeds will help SPANA to improve the lives of working animals in need. We also have ongoing appeals that address specific issues happening now, and all donations make a valuable difference.
Animal Advocacy Resources
Our aim is for our website to be an essential resource for the care and welfare of working animals. That’s why we’ve put together some helpful articles to help you better understand the animals around you.
One Health
The One Health approach recognises the important link between animals, people and the environment. Learn more about it with working animal charity SPANA.
Stopping the donkey skin trade
The lives of millions of donkeys have been put at risk because of rapidly growing demand for ‘ejiao’, a product made from donkey skins used...
Ethical Animal Tourism
Our Holiday Hooves Guide contains advice on how to choose healthy looking animals for activities abroad.
The Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare
The Five Freedoms of animal welfare present a standard of care that is followed across the globe. Included in the UK government’s Animal Welfare Act...
Equine charities promote welfare for working equids
Equine charities have joined forces to promote welfare standards for hard-working donkeys, horses and mules.
One Health
The One Health approach recognises the important link between animals, people and the environment. Learn more about it with working animal charity SPANA.
Stopping the donkey skin trade
The lives of millions of donkeys have been put at risk because of rapidly growing demand for ‘ejiao’, a product made from donkey skins used...
Ethical Animal Tourism
Our Holiday Hooves Guide contains advice on how to choose healthy looking animals for activities abroad.
The Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare
The Five Freedoms of animal welfare present a standard of care that is followed across the globe. Included in the UK government’s Animal Welfare Act...
Equine charities promote welfare for working equids
Equine charities have joined forces to promote welfare standards for hard-working donkeys, horses and mules.
Educating Children about Animal Welfare
Our efforts towards transforming the lives of working animals also involve inspiring children to develop long-lasting and positive behaviour changes towards working animals. Our track record of success worldwide speaks volumes, like our animal welfare education programme in Zimbabwe, where we have seen a tangible change in attitudes from young people. At our centres, schoolchildren enjoy enriching lessons and interactive exhibitions.
“Before I joined the SPANA education programme, I didn’t feel donkeys needed to be cared for or had feelings. But now my attitude has changed. I have started to care for them. If my donkey is sick and unhappy, I will take her to the clinic or tell my family”. Abdusa, 13, member of a PAWs club in Ethiopia.
The Five Freedoms
The basic requirements of acceptable animal welfare are set out in the five freedoms of animal welfare, one of the most established models of assessing animal welfare. They are as follows:
- Freedom from hunger and thirst
- Freedom from discomfort and pain
- Freedom from injury or disease
- Freedom from fear and distress
- Freedom to express normal behaviour.
Our work aims to deliver and exceed the requirements of the five freedoms. We also embrace the more recent Five Domains framework of animal welfare, which includes:
- Nutrition
- Physical environment
- Health
- Behavioural Interactions
- Mental State
At SPANA we work to improve all aspects of a working animal’s life – encompassing good health; access to nutritious food and fresh water; adequate rest periods; protection from adverse weather conditions, predators, pain, fear, and suffering; and an ability to carry out normal activities such as grazing, browsing and interaction with the animal’s own kind.
Working Animals SPANA Supports
Working Donkey Care
Our goal is to provide a wealth of information dedicated to maintaining the health and wellbeing of working donkeys.
Working Horse Care
Find valuable information and expert advice on working horses to ensure their health, productivity, and wellbeing.
Working Camel Care
Our mission is to ensure their health and welfare, for the benefit of camels and their owners.
Working Mule Care
Our in-depth resources encompass every aspect of working mule care, including nutrition, grooming, preventive health measures, and effective handling techniques.
Working Donkey Care
Our goal is to provide a wealth of information dedicated to maintaining the health and wellbeing of working donkeys.
Working Horse Care
Find valuable information and expert advice on working horses to ensure their health, productivity, and wellbeing.
Working Camel Care
Our mission is to ensure their health and welfare, for the benefit of camels and their owners.
Working Mule Care
Our in-depth resources encompass every aspect of working mule care, including nutrition, grooming, preventive health measures, and effective handling techniques.